South-west London city break guide

An insider's guide to south-west London featuring the area's best hotels, hostels, restaurants, bars, shops and attractions. By Sophie Campbell, Telegraph Travel's London expert. Click on the tabs below for the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop, including the best things to do and what to do on a short break.

Why go?

Southwest from this hub of influence are the glossy residential enclaves of Knightsbridge, South Kensington and Belgravia – great for shopping and eating – then the slightly scruffier (though transforming by the day) purlieus of Victoria and Pimlico, home to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Tate Britain.

A mile or so to the west are Knightsbridge, South Kensington and Belgravia – great for shopping and eating – and to the south of them the marginally scruffier, though transforming by the day, purlieus of Victoria and Pimlico. Across the River Thames a surprising revival is taking place thanks to the new American Embassy and surrounding residential quarter rising at Nine Elms, and Vauxhall and Battersea are fast coming up in the world.

SW1 is one of the most significant postcodes in the capital, as home to the Houses of Parliament and the iconic Big Ben.

Robert Harding World Imagery / Alamy

Expect a gentler pace of life, with squares and green spaces – many private – two major football clubs, some brilliant museums, chic restaurants, small dogs in coats and tons of shopping. Between are pockets of normality, such as public parks and the river. Overall it’s a quietly conservative part of town.